Tall quill stem is essential for comfortably running drop bars on old road bikes and keeping the classic look.
I wanted a classic road bike look without too aggressive of a riding position. A tall quill stem allows my handlebars to be level with my saddle while looking somewhat period correct.
I’m currently redoing a Trek 400 and this advice is very timely for me, so thank you!
I’m a taller guy so I’ll look for a taller stem, do you know which one you used on your ride?
Voodoographer on
This is the way.
sirwugus420 on
There used to be a product called the Factory Five quill stem that works with 31.8 and still looks like a period correct part. I bought a rip off on eBay since the original is no longer made. Looks sweet
Cruiser_Supreme on
I have a Technomic on my commuter as well, so I get it. Though I’d probably be better off sizing up. I am tall enough to ride a larger frame and then I wouldn’t need a Technomic stem.
I do think if you’re riding your road bike as a road bike, you don’t need a tall stem. What you have is obviously a touring frame, so it makes sense, but I’m most comfortable on a road bike with a shorter stem because it puts more weight over the BB and onto my hands, rather than my bum.
Sun-spex on
If you need to raise the bars and seat that much, that might be a sign that your frame may be too small for you. Drop bars should be comfortable from every hand position, having to fit a tall stem to be comfortable is indicative of a fit issue.
maortega017 on
That’s how a 520 should look. Why bars? They look like a mild flare, looks super comfy.
bobbybackwoods69 on
God damn that’s a nice ride! Well done
Public_Knee6288 on
Love it!
pork_ribs on
That RD-M761 looks amazing. I have a 520 set up in nearly the same way so I don’t have to ask if you love the ride.
10 Comments
I’m currently redoing a Trek 400 and this advice is very timely for me, so thank you!
I’m a taller guy so I’ll look for a taller stem, do you know which one you used on your ride?
This is the way.
There used to be a product called the Factory Five quill stem that works with 31.8 and still looks like a period correct part. I bought a rip off on eBay since the original is no longer made. Looks sweet
I have a Technomic on my commuter as well, so I get it. Though I’d probably be better off sizing up. I am tall enough to ride a larger frame and then I wouldn’t need a Technomic stem.
I do think if you’re riding your road bike as a road bike, you don’t need a tall stem. What you have is obviously a touring frame, so it makes sense, but I’m most comfortable on a road bike with a shorter stem because it puts more weight over the BB and onto my hands, rather than my bum.
If you need to raise the bars and seat that much, that might be a sign that your frame may be too small for you. Drop bars should be comfortable from every hand position, having to fit a tall stem to be comfortable is indicative of a fit issue.
That’s how a 520 should look. Why bars? They look like a mild flare, looks super comfy.
God damn that’s a nice ride! Well done
Love it!
That RD-M761 looks amazing. I have a 520 set up in nearly the same way so I don’t have to ask if you love the ride.
you forgot the “for me” after “essential”.